Gloucester

Also
known by: Gloucestershire, Old Gloucester, Old Gloucestershire

Gloucester Cattle are an ancient breed, numerous in the Severn Vale
as early as the 13th century. They were valued for their milk (producing
double Gloucester Cheese), their beef, and for producing strong and docile
oxen. However, in the last two centuries, outbreaks of disease, the introduction
of other breeds, and the development of intensive farming, led to such
a reduction in their numbers that by 1972 only one herd remained. Fortunately,
at its dispersal sale a group of purchasers determined that the breed should
survive. It has done so. The Gloucester Cattle Society was revived and,
since then cattle, numbers have increased from near extinction to over
700 registered females.

The cows are docile and amenable and respond well to individual care.
They take well to hand milking and make ideal house cows. They have a flat
lactation curve giving an even production for up to 300 days. This is kind
to their udders and helps the longevity for which they are renowned, often
breeding for 12 - 15 years.

Under appropriate management, the dairy strains will average 700 gallons
per heifer and 8850 gallons per cow, with average butterfat of 3.9%, protein
3.3%, lactose 4.6%, which makes their milk ideal for farmhouse cheese.
Gloucester milk, when produced alongside other breeds kept in the same
conditions, is found to have a consistently lower bacteria count.

Even the bulls
merit the breed's reputation for docility. They are active and get cows
in calf to a tight calving pattern.

Gloucester steers produce a lean, quality carcass, with sufficient marbling
of fat within the meat to give excellent flavor. Calves grow fast o the
high quality milk of their dams and, under intensive systems, can finish
by 2 years at a good killing-out ratio of around 52-54%. When fattened
on grass they should finish within 3 years.

The management of Gloucesters fits well into an extensive system. Furthermore,
providing the land drains well and they have some shelter and a dry bed,
they will thrive if out-wintered, growing a good protective coat.

The Gloucester is a Dial Purpose Breed and therefore attention should
be paid to both milk producing characteristics and body conformation.
They are black brown with black head and legs, a white tail and a white
streak down the back and a white underline. They have a dark muzzle
with dark skin around the eyes and nose. Cows horns are fine, wide
and inclined to
turn up with black tips. The males weigh 750 kg, on average, and the females
weigh 500 kg.

The breed is an irreplaceable part of our living heritage which should
be preserved for future gererations. The qualities of the Gloucester cattle
give good reason for this preservation.